Sound and Fury by Dave Kindred

Muhammad Ali and Howard Cosell were must-see TV long before that phrase became ubiquitous. Individually interesting, together they were mesmerizing. They were profoundly different -- young and old, black and white, a Muslim and a Jew, Ali barely literate and Cosell an editor of his university's law review. Yet they had in common forces that made them unforgettable: Both were, above all, performers who covered up their deep personal insecurities by demanding -- loudly and often -- public acclaim. Theirs was an extraordinary alliance that produced drama, comedy, controversy, and a mutual respect that helped shape both men's lives. Dave Kindred, uniquely equipped to tell the Ali-Cosell story after a decades-long intimate working relationship with both men, re-creates their unlikely connection in ways never before attempted. From their first meeting in 1962 through Ali's controversial conversion to Islam and refusal to be inducted into the U.S. Army, Kindred explores both the heroics that created the men's upward trajectories and the demons that brought them to sadness in their later lives. Kindred draws on his experiences with Ali and Cosell, fresh reporting, and interviews with scores of key personalities to present a richly evocative portrait of the friendship that shaped two giants and changed sports and television forever.

Reviews

Karen Caplan · 2021-05-07

compelling 4.50

The book provides a deep and in-depth look at the lives of Ali and Cosell, offering great insight into their relationship and the historical context of their time.

Karen Caplan's review highlights the book's deep and in-depth look at the lives of Muhammad Ali and Howard Cosell. The reviewer appreciates the great insight provided into their relationship and the historical context of their time. The review emphasizes the book's ability to capture the essence of these iconic figures and their impact on society. Caplan finds the book to be a compelling and informative read, offering a unique perspective on the lives of Ali and Cosell.

Quick quotes

The thought of people punching each other (many times in the head) with the objective of knocking them out, seems barbaric and ludicrous to me.

Highly rated for: · Outstanding!! · Without question, the best and most in-depth look at these two icons of my generation. · Great insight into Ali & Cosell · Great ...

Kindred draws on his experiences with Ali and Cosell, fresh reporting, and interviews with scores of key personalities -- including the families of both.

The Rumpus Compass · 2014-04-10

insightful 4.25

The book successfully captures the human reality of both Cosell and Ali, and their relationship, providing a unique and insightful perspective.

The Rumpus Compass review emphasizes the book's ability to capture the human reality of both Howard Cosell and Muhammad Ali, as well as their relationship. The reviewer appreciates the unique and insightful perspective offered by the book, which goes beyond the surface-level details to provide a deeper understanding of these iconic figures. The review highlights the book's success in bringing the lives of Cosell and Ali to life, making it a compelling read for those interested in their stories.

Quick quotes

The signal achievement of Kindred's book is to give us the human reality of both Cosell and Ali, and the relationship between them, without ...

Kindred draws on his experiences with Ali and Cosell, fresh reporting, and interviews with scores of key personalities -- including the families of both.

Dave Kindred draws on his experiences with Ali and Cosell over nearly four decades, as well as new reporting and interviews, to break new ground ...

The New York Times · Budd Schulberg · 2006-03-19

engrossing 4.00

The book offers vivid scenes and poignant dialogue, providing new interpretations of historical events. It is a biography that is novelistically engrossing and richly evocative.

Budd Schulberg's review in The New York Times highlights the book's vivid scenes and poignant dialogue, which bring the lives of Muhammad Ali and Howard Cosell to life. He appreciates the new interpretations of historical events and the novelistic quality of the biography. Schulberg finds the book to be richly evocative, offering a deep and engaging look into the lives of these two iconic figures. The dual biography is praised for its ability to make historical events feel fresh and compelling, providing a unique perspective on the friendship between Ali and Cosell.

Quick quotes

With vivid scenes, poignant dialogue, and new interpretations of historical events, this is a biography that is novelistically engrossing -- a richly evocative ...

Budd Schulberg reviews book Sound and Fury: Two Powerful Lives, One Fateful Friendship, 'dual biography' of Muhammad Ali and Howard Cosell, ...

The signal achievement of Kindred's book is to give us the human reality of both Cosell and Ali, and the relationship between them, without ...

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